Federal judges have prevented President Donald Trump from shutting down three federal agencies that provide essential services, like support for minority businesses and mediation. Approximately 20 states, led by Democrats, filed a lawsuit to stop the closure of institutions such as the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS). On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge John McConnell, appointed by former President Barack Obama, sided with the states, stating that the proposed closures breached the separation of powers.
“It… disregards the fundamental constitutional roles of each branch of the federal government. In particular, it overlooks the essential principle that Congress is responsible for creating and funding these agencies, while the Executive Council allocates those funds,” Judge McConnell asserted.
The attorneys for the Trump administration argued that the states lacked standing to file suit, but McConnell rejected that claim.
“The states have provided convincing evidence that dismantling the IMLS, MBDA, and FMCS is either underway or will surely cause harm,” he stated.
Earlier this year, McConnell had also stopped the Trump administration from enforcing a nationwide freeze on federal grants, siding with 22 states and the District of Columbia in that matter.
Judge McConnell mandated that the Trump administration “must recover the frozen funds promptly” as the case proceeds through the court system, indicating that the extensive freeze on federal funds appears to be unconstitutional and is likely to inflict irreparable damage on many in the country.
